Editor’s note: Make an incision on a reporter and the liklihood they bleed coffee is a real possibility. The average reporter operates on a diet dominated by coffee. Reporters talking about coffee, how they like it and where to get the best cup is standard conversation. Payton North, Debbie Gardner and Jordan Houston decided to look at the non-chain coffee offerings in the area and presented this scouting report.

GREATER SPRINGFIELD –  Over the course of a Thursday, the Reminder Publications news staff traveled through East Longmeadow, Hampden, Wilbraham, Springfield, Chicopee and Agawam in search of delicious coffee and inviting atmospheres in the form of local café’s and coffee shops. The following is a breakdown of the six shops that the staff had the privilege of stopping into.

Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters

Eager to begin their quest to find the best cup, the first coffee shop the group strolled into was Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters in East Longmeadow. The coffee shop has locations in East Longmeadow, Shelburne Falls, Greenfield, Hadley, Easthampton and Northampton. Shelburne Falls hand-roasts their coffee beans in the foothills of the Berkshires, and they sold their first cup in 1990.

The Reminder staff sampled the Columbian Suprimo Roast – Shelburne Falls’ basic coffee – which was a full-bodied brew. As Debbie Gardner described it, “It’s reminiscent of Starbucks’ Pikes Place roast.” Though Payton North is an avid coffee drinker, she felt this was a fairly strong coffee, and not one for the faint of heart.

While the staff agreed that the shop was inviting, Jordan Houston described the atmosphere as, “Cozy, but impersonal.” The staff enjoyed their time in the shop, and felt that it was the type of café that one could bring a laptop to and get work done while enjoying a cup of Joe.

“This is a good wake-up cup on those ‘I need more coffee’ mornings, with a pleasant aroma and mild aftertaste that lets you know you’ve had coffee,” Gardner shared.

Located at 60 Shaker Rd., Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters is open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. The café also offers numerous pastries and other food items for snacking, as well as unique frozen juices and shakes. A small hot coffee from Shelburne Fall’s is roughly $1.86 with tax.

The Bagel Nook

Stepping inside the brightly painted café in Hampden known as The Bagel Nook, it’s impossible to not feel like you walked into your own mother’s kitchen. The reporters were greeted with friendly smiles from the staff, who were personable and eager to hear about the coffee testing process. Their inviting attitudes were reflected in the atmosphere of the shop, which features sunny yellow and orange shades throughout, with a hand-painted mural decorating the main wall to the right of the café, reading, “Good morning!” The news team felt it was impossible to not have a good morning after their stop in The Bagel Nook.

Taking the café’s “Premium Roast” coffee for a test drive, The Bagel Nook staff described it as a traditional medium roast offering a premium cup of coffee. North, Gardner and Houston felt the house-blend was as bright and light flavored as the décor and dispositions in the room.

Houston explained, “Even though the business is more of a grab-and-go style café, the combination of staff and atmosphere will make you want to stay.”

Not only was the brew enjoyable, but The Reminder staff also had the opportunity to try two of The Bagel Nook’s bagels with their homemade cream cheese, generously provided by the Nook’s staff. We highly recommend testing the asiago bagel with chipotle bacon cream cheese. You won’t be disappointed.

While North is the only member of the staff who frequently drives by The Bagel Nook, both Gardner and Houston agreed that they look forward to going back to the shop, and don’t mind that the drive is out of the way for their commutes.

The Bagel Nook is located at 34 Somers Rd. and is open from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. during the week, and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the weekends. A small cup of coffee will run you $1.50.

The Village Store and Café

The Village Store and Café, located in the heart of downtown Wilbraham, is an eclectic shop that dates back to the late 1800’s. Locals can be seen dropping in throughout the day for their coffee or tea fix, and students from Wilbraham Monson Academy often find refuge in the lounge area of the café, snacking on Panini’s, socializing and working on homework.

North explained to Gardner and Houston that she’s been going to the Village Café for years, as her grandparents are from Wilbraham.

“The Village Café brings back so many fond memories for me over the years, and I’m confident Wilbraham residents as well as out-of-towners feel the same about the cozy space,” North said.

The Reminder Publications staff chose to enjoy the spring weather and sat at a bistro table on the porch of the café to enjoy their “Village Premium Blend.” The coffee was slightly heavier than that of The Bagel Nook, had a pleasant green aroma, and the aftertaste was sweet and smooth.

Aside from coffee and tea, The Village Store and Café offers sandwiches, Panini’s, wraps, salads, bagels and pastries. The café is located at 426 Main St. and operates between 6:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. A small cup of coffee costs $2 with tax.

Mocha Emporium

Springfield’s Mocha Emporium is the epitome of the city-living lifestyle. While it boasted an impressive 37 different types of coffee beans, which were fragrant throughout the room, the café was unlike the other five shops the group visited. While the Emporium’s staff was kind, the shop felt impersonal with its modern feel. The café was clean, but wasn’t one that felt welcoming.

The reporters tested out Mocha Emporium’s Columbian roast coffee, which is considered their standard. North, Gardner and Houston felt the coffee was quite strong and earthy to taste. The three agreed that the coffee was average in taste and drinkability, and was not a standout of the day. With that being said, the group couldn’t help but notice the delicious smelling coffee beans, including the chocolate raspberry flavored beans, and wondered if they had tried a flavored coffee if their feelings would change toward the shop. With tax, a small coffee from Mocha Emporium is $1.75.

Located at 1623 Main St. in Springfield, Mocha Emporium is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

GoodWorks Coffee House

GoodWorks Coffee House in Chicopee has only been open for the last five months by social workers Victor and Katie Narvaez, and offers an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere along with tasty coffee and treats.

North, Gardner and Houston shared a cup of Monsoon Medium Roast, which Narvaez said was their basic cup. The fair-trade coffee is roasted locally in downtown Springfield and is delivered daily by the company founder. The three reporters enjoyed this coffee, and were impressed with its fruity taste and aroma.

The family-owned space, which is located at 46 Center St., offers a calming environment to kick back and do some work or read a book. The vibes of the interior are a combination of trendy, tranquil and hipster, with cool toned walls, big windows, green accent plants and modern furniture — complete with a cream couch and two bookcases.

The Narvaez’s are strong supporters of community service, and serve complimentary coffee to local first responders once a month. They also welcome aspiring local artists, musicians, poets and authors to showcase their talents at the café. A cup of small coffee will cost you $2.25 with tax.

Good News Coffee

The final destination on the staff’s day of delicious brews, Good News Coffee, did not disappoint. Similar to GoodWorks, Good News boasts Monsoon Roastery’s coffee beans. Good News is also one of Agawam’s newest coffee shops, being open for just a few weeks.

Monsoon Medium Roast is Good News’ standard cup, which featured a mild aroma and smooth aftertaste. Oddly enough, while this blend was the same at GoodWorks, The Reminder staff didn’t taste any fruitiness, though they did feel that the cup was perfect for the middle-of-the-road coffee drinkers who are looking for a gentle caffeine boost.

“The inside of Good News feels very clean and put together, with cooler tones similar to that of GoodWorks. It has a modern feel while still maintaining a level of coziness and warmth,” Houston shared of the shop’s atmosphere.

The mother and son duo were welcoming, and kindly shared pastries from their assortment of offerings. A small cup of coffee from Good News costs $2.12, with tax.

Good News is located at 1325 Springfield St., and is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.